Twenty years ago, Bryant, a first-year apprentice, was in the chorus in a production of “My Fair Lady.” A year later, she played Eliza Doolittle, the iconic flower girl turned lady, and now she is directing that show, putting together a production that is both an homage to one of the greatest classics in American musical theater and a glimpse into a bright future for the State Theater of North Carolina.

Bryant, along with managing director Hillary Hart, emanated pride on opening night as she praised the cast and crew for the collaborative effort that is at the heart of all great repertory theater. She offered accolades not only for the fine cast, but also for the scenic and lighting designers, music director, musicians and costumers, as well as all the others who contributed their talents to this ambitious production.

For the few who may not know, “My Fair Lady,” based on George Bernard Shaw’s play “Pygmalion,” which premiered in London 100 years ago this year, is the story of Professor Henry Higgins, who bets his fellow linguist, Colonel Pickering, that he can teach Eliza Doolittle, a lowly flower girl, how to speak “The King’s English” and pass her off as a duchess at the Embassy ball.

Stacie Bono is a thoroughly modern Eliza, still modest but with a worldly edginess that suits the scrappy young woman who is determined to rise above her caste. Bono is especially effective in striking a distinction between the old Eliza and the new during one of the pivotal scenes in the first act when she finally “gets it,” by George, and slowly then joyously sings “The Rain in Spain,” followed by the romantic “I Could Have Danced All Night.” She proves the power and beauty of her voice throughout the evening.

Brian Robinson is a proper British Higgins, a cold-hearted snob if there ever was one, in an amusing sort of way of course, replete with all those witty metaphors to describe poor “deliciously low” Eliza—“squashed cabbage leaf” and “draggle-tailed guttersnipe” being two of my favorites. Robinson never loses the charming edge to his character, even as he begins to soften, creating a character whose changes we can truly believe, his earnestness felt most clearly in the moving “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.”

The two leads are fully supported by the rest of the cast, including Paul Carlin as the lovable Colonel Pickering, FRP favorite Jane Bushway as the forthright Mrs. Higgins, Mary Jo McConnell as the proper housekeeper Mrs. Pearce, Eddie Egan as the smitten Freddy, and that fantastic trio of gin-swilling cockney low-lifes — Scott Pattison as Jamie, Taylor Collins as Harry, and Gary Troy as Eliza’s incorrigible father, Alfred P. Doolittle, whom Higgins calls the “most original moralist in England.”

Along with the magnificent chorus, made up of professional actors, apprentices and students from FRP’s YouTheatre, Troy and his fellows provide us with one of the most entertaining numbers of the evening, the rollicking, “I’m Getting Married in the Morning,” with its clever beer mug line dance choreographed by long-time vagabond Amy Jones and led by dance captain Austin Ku.

The artistic team at Flat Rock Playhouse could not have chosen a better show to usher in the summer and highlight the talents of long time vagabond Lisa K. Bryant. It’s one you surely don’t want to miss.

Here’s to another 20 years of stellar theater in the mountains!

Katie Winkler is an active member of the Dramatists Guild of America and the North Carolina Writers Network.

<p>Running through July 13, Flat Rock Playhouse's newest main stage production, Lerner and Loewe's “My Fair Lady,” marks an auspicious beginning for interim artistic director Lisa K. Bryant.</p><p>Twenty years ago, Bryant, a first-year apprentice, was in the chorus in a production of “My Fair Lady.” A year later, she played Eliza Doolittle, the iconic flower girl turned lady, and now she is directing that show, putting together a production that is both an homage to one of the greatest classics in American musical theater and a glimpse into a bright future for the State Theater of North Carolina. </p><p>Bryant, along with managing director Hillary Hart, emanated pride on opening night as she praised the cast and crew for the collaborative effort that is at the heart of all great repertory theater. She offered accolades not only for the fine cast, but also for the scenic and lighting designers, music director, musicians and costumers, as well as all the others who contributed their talents to this ambitious production. </p><p>Dennis C. Maulden's marvelous set, enhanced by Stephen Terry's innovative lighting design and Janine Marie McCabe's extraordinary period costumes, bow to tradition, but aren't stale. Infused with a brightness of color – snow white, sapphire blue, spring green and glistening gold – they create a world that brings two centuries together, forming a perfect backdrop for the vibrant, energetic cast. </p><p>For the few who may not know, “My Fair Lady,” based on George Bernard Shaw's play “Pygmalion,” which premiered in London 100 years ago this year, is the story of Professor Henry Higgins, who bets his fellow linguist, Colonel Pickering, that he can teach Eliza Doolittle, a lowly flower girl, how to speak “The King's English” and pass her off as a duchess at the Embassy ball. </p><p>Stacie Bono is a thoroughly modern Eliza, still modest but with a worldly edginess that suits the scrappy young woman who is determined to rise above her caste. Bono is especially effective in striking a distinction between the old Eliza and the new during one of the pivotal scenes in the first act when she finally “gets it,” by George, and slowly then joyously sings “The Rain in Spain,” followed by the romantic “I Could Have Danced All Night.” She proves the power and beauty of her voice throughout the evening. </p><p>Brian Robinson is a proper British Higgins, a cold-hearted snob if there ever was one, in an amusing sort of way of course, replete with all those witty metaphors to describe poor “deliciously low” Eliza—“squashed cabbage leaf” and “draggle-tailed guttersnipe” being two of my favorites. Robinson never loses the charming edge to his character, even as he begins to soften, creating a character whose changes we can truly believe, his earnestness felt most clearly in the moving “I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face.”</p><p>The two leads are fully supported by the rest of the cast, including Paul Carlin as the lovable Colonel Pickering, FRP favorite Jane Bushway as the forthright Mrs. Higgins, Mary Jo McConnell as the proper housekeeper Mrs. Pearce, Eddie Egan as the smitten Freddy, and that fantastic trio of gin-swilling cockney low-lifes — Scott Pattison as Jamie, Taylor Collins as Harry, and Gary Troy as Eliza's incorrigible father, Alfred P. Doolittle, whom Higgins calls the “most original moralist in England.”</p><p>Along with the magnificent chorus, made up of professional actors, apprentices and students from FRP's YouTheatre, Troy and his fellows provide us with one of the most entertaining numbers of the evening, the rollicking, “I'm Getting Married in the Morning,” with its clever beer mug line dance choreographed by long-time vagabond Amy Jones and led by dance captain Austin Ku. </p><p>The artistic team at Flat Rock Playhouse could not have chosen a better show to usher in the summer and highlight the talents of long time vagabond Lisa K. Bryant. It's one you surely don't want to miss. </p><p>Here's to another 20 years of stellar theater in the mountains! </p><p><b>Katie Winkler is an active member of the Dramatists Guild of America and the North Carolina Writers Network.</p>